GreenPlease wrote:
I agree, probably a good market opportunity. An 11-40 12 speed cassette would be pretty versatile.... now that I think about it, the indexing is in the shifters so in theory something like a long-cage Force 11 Speed derailleur could be used for a 12 Speed setup (with the correct chain and cassette).
You can use any derailleur that can handle the span. I've heard even long cage 105 and Ultegra 11 will do 40t.
I don't think I'd ever use a 40t on a TT bike, but it would be cool to have close ratios and a largish span for semi-hilly courses. Something like 11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19,21,24,28,32.
I think the beauty of the D1x is that someone just needs to make 12spd road cassettes that fit on 11spd freehubs, and you're in business. Don't need a whole new drivetrain of proprietary parts.